The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-05-23
OUR INDIAN WARDS.
The National Policy Regarding Them
Failure.
What the Senatorial Committee Saw
In the Indian Territory.
White Men Hired to do Indian Farm
Ing-An AborIgine Feast.

WAsHINGToN, May Ex-senator Plat,
who went west with Senators Cull0m and
Blackburn as select committee to inyesti-
gate certain allegations with respect 10 the
appointments Of Indian traders, has returned
here. Witnesses from Indian Territory met
them at Arkansas City. on the southern bor-
der Of Kansas. The complaints of the trad
ers. who were sharply cross-examined by
Senator Blackburn, were to the effect that
they were removed upon no substantial pre-
text except that they we're Republicans, and
that personal and political friends Of the
people now in high authority were given
places. If this were all, says Senator Platt,
the subject would perhaps not be worthy Of
the further attention Of the Senate but IN
these cases, or in majority of them, as the
evidence now stands, the old traders not on
ly lost their places, but the change swept
away their fortunes as well. The statement
of the traders, under oath, as to the amounts
Of money they were compelled to invest in
their enterprise, ranging from $4,000 to $780,
0C0. and averaging probably $4,000, seemed
almost Incredible, but were fully confirmed
when the committee took occasion 70 make a
personal inspection OF some Of the stores
and Of the methods the traders were COM
PEELED to adopt. The Indians receive annui-
ties and lease money, and are periodically in
funds for few days at time, but all other
season are the debtors of the traders, who
usually have one-half or three-quarters Of
the investments outstanding, The Indians
pay their debts promptly enough to traders
who remain in the business and who can
continue to trust them, but one whose doors
are closed or who, as in some cases, is per-
emptOrily ordered away from the territory.
has no chance Of receiving more than frac-
tion of his dues. When the new appointees
are men Of means and experience, the stocks
of goods ON hand, the building and fixtures
can sometimes be disposed of to them, but
the fact that they come armed with exclusive
franchises, places the outgoing trader
at their mercy as regards prices, etc
In several notable instances the appointing
power seems to have been sadly imposed
upon, having given licenses 10 men who had
nothing but their influence to put into the
business and openly proposed TO the Old
traders copartnerships, the latter to furnish
the caI experience and time, and the
former Iiv cfflis but license.
After finishing their work at Arkansas
City the committee took trip into indian
Territory and saw a number Of things
which astonished them. Southern Kansas.
Senator Platt describes as one Of the mast
fertile portions Of the country. Every foot
is under cultivation. Cultivated fields, wav-
ing crops, orchards, groves and green hedges
through which are seen neat cottages, sub
stantial barns and outbuildings, are pleasing
features Of the universal landscape. But
when Indian Territory is reached all signs
Of human life and cultivation cease and
in their stead one sees only an ocean-like ex-
panse of unproductive prairie. Almost di-
rectly south Of Arkansas City lies Kaw res
ervation, more than 10000 acres OF as fine
lands as can be found in the West, the prop
erty or a tribal remnant numbering exactly
1877 individuals, counting women and chill
dren. These people are worthless beggars,
upon whom the best efforts OF philanthropy
are lavished in vain. The committee rode 20
or 20 miles across this reservation without
discovering single sign OF the inhabitants,
except wire fences OF cattle men and build
ings at the agency. Coming into, the. Usage
country, they found million and a half Of
acres reserved for about 1900 people, two
thirds Of whom are full blo0ds, as uncultured
and worthless as their ancestors OF a century
ago. These people are, per capita, the wealth.
:est Of the globe. If their trust fund and
their land were divided among them
every man, woman and child would
possess fortune OF about $4,000.
Few have taken to farming. They toll not
with their own hand but employ white men
to do it. The fastidious aristocrats are
their gaudy blankets, to purchase supplies
for their mems consumption. They select
the most delicate viands and will take moth
ing else, but for their white laborers they
buy cheaper and coarser grades. Nothwith-
standing this discrimination when it is a
carly starvlings as general thing and are
moved to astounding feats Of gluttony when
they can manage to secure beef for FEAST
Meat bones and entrails are put into COM
me n soup kettle, and the hide would doubt
less follow but for the fact that other uses
are found for IT, The habits of these beings
were not taken by the committee upon
trust. A religious dance and festival Of
some days duration was taking place near the
agency and the committee went to see it.
The braves, some clad in little besides gor-
geous paints, others dccked out with all the
flnery they could command, took part in a
dance with true Aborigine feryor. Two Of
the sprightliest of the dancers, covered with
little looking glasses, sleigh bells, feathers
and ribbons, were graduates Of the Indian
school, and who have relapsed into shame
less savagery. While the dance went on the
women prepared the feast, and naked youths
of both sexes and wolfsh dogs watched the
proceedings. The committee withdrew after
witnessing this display of Areadian simple
ity for two or three hours, filed with the
conviction that our national Indian policy is
not accomplishing all that was expected Of it.